The Shetland Sheepdog (or Sheltie) is a breed of dog, originally bred to be small sheepdogs ideally suited for the terrain of the Shetland Islands.
Shelties are loving, loyal, and affectionate with their family, but are naturally aloof with strangers and might not appreciate being petted by someone they do not know; for this reason Shelties must be socialized extensively.
Shelties' ears are required to bend slightly or "tip" at the top to be qualified to show in AKC shows.
The Sheltie is known to not allow themselves to be touched by strangers and will display noisy persistent barking.
The Sheltie is above all an intelligent herder, capable both of commanding large cattle and holding small sheep in check.
A Sheltie should not be allowed to run free near a road as it may decide to chase a car or something else it sees across the road, running a high risk of getting hit by a car.